Filmmakers have to do 'jugaad' for casting: Farhan Akhtar

Mumbai: Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, who has helmed successful films like Dil Chahta Hai and Don - The Chase Begins, says all the directors and producers in the film industry have to do jugaad for casting.

Casting is an integral part of the film's process and he says it is "actually one of the most demanding processes, in terms of trying to get appointments, to get time".

"In the whole film industry, all the producers and all the directors have to do jugaad for casting. Nothing can happen without that," the 39-year-old told reporters Wednesday at the launch of the song "Karle jugaad" from his upcoming co-production Fukrey.

Reuters

In fact, for his directorial debut "Dil Chahta Hai", he had pulled a casting coup with names like Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna and Preity Zinta featuring in it.

Casting for the 2001 blockbuster buddy film had been toughest, says Farhan as "I had to wait for long in my life for casting of 'Dil Chahta Hai'".

The film was a runaway hit at the box office and also won a National Award. Farhan became a name to reckon with after its success.

On being asked about the film for which he got the fastest casting, Farhan said: "The fastest ever I have managed to cast anybody for the film I directed was for 'Don'."

"Don" came out in 2006 and featured Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Arjun Rampal, Boman Irani and Om Puri.

Meanwhile, Farhan has roped in young actors, who are one or two films old, for "Fukrey". Pulkit Samrat, Manjot Singh, Varun Sharma, Ali Faisal, Richa Chadda, Vishakha Singh and Priya Anand figure in the film.

"Fukrey hits theatres June 14 and the filmmaker is hopeful the casting will be advantageous for the movie.